Councillors take action for CCTV

Councillors have taken matters into their own hands to curb "vicious" violence leaving young locals "brutally broken".

COUNCILLORS have taken matters into their own hands to curb "vicious" violence leaving young locals "brutally broken".

Councillor Mike Neville has gone into bat for those close to a 23-year-old male seriously assaulted in Griffith on May 9, to ensure council's CCTV system was constantly recording, while councillor Paul Rossetto called on the state government to crack down on crime in Griffith.

Cr Rossetto choked back tears during his empassioned plea for councillors to support a letter to Member for Murrumbidgee Adrian Piccoli demanding better crime prevention.

"Some of this violence takes young, healthy, hardworking people out of the workforce for six months at a time when their arms, wrists and faces are brutally broken," Cr Rossetto said.

"This is targeted sporting violence occurring in the community and I would like to see it stop.

"Our strategic plan highlights security and safety, so it's well within role of council to try and get greater security and better legislation to help out police."

Meanwhile Cr Neville took it upon himself to clarify council's CCTV cameras were operational the night of the attack after hearing rumours they weren't recording.

"We have CCTV but I have been concerned about rumours that at times it hasn't been operational, however I've subsequently found out it was working that night," Cr Neville said.

"As an elected representative I am worried about all these young people innocently going about their own business and being assaulted."

Griffith local area command crime manager Paul Smith has been a longstanding advocate for CCTV and confirmed tapes were being scrutinised as part of the investigation, but hosed down the panic.

"Detectives are still investigating the matter and we have received very good information from the public but we certainly believe there's be more people out there who could help police and I'd urge them to contact us," he said.

"Obviously CCTV is a terrific investigative tool and not just council's cameras, commercial and private systems also helps in 21st century investigations.

"But statistically our rates of alcohol-related crime have decreased in the last five years throughout the Griffith local government area and we'll continue to work with licencees, the community and other government departments to tackle this important crime issue."

Griffith police have called on anyone with information about these crimes to come forward by calling the station on 6969 4299 or Crimestoppers on 1300 333 000.